Sean Murphy DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy is not in Sunday's lineup when the Braves conclude a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The backstop has started each of the past three games. During this stretch, Murphy has gone 2-for-10 at the plate with a double and a 5:2 K:BB. He will cede catching duties to rookie Drake Baldwin, who will bat in the five-hole. Under the hood, Murphy has generated a strong 13.2% barrel rate with a .446 xSLG, which are both above the average marks. Through 24 games this season, the 30-year-old catcher has posted a .221/.330/.500 slash line with three doubles, seven long balls, and 14 RBI. This afternoon, Baldwin carries high streaming appeal facing Pittsburgh right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski, who carries a 6.16 ERA.

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Murphy will get a rest day here after starting in the first two games of the series. He went 2-for-6 with a solo homer and two runs scored during the first two contests. In his absence, Drake Baldwin will start behind the plate and bat eighth against right-hander Brandon Pfaadt. Baldwin is viewed as one of the team's top prospects, but isn't a great add in fantasy rosters while splitting up time with Murphy behind the plate.

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy hit a clutch three-run home run in the eighth inning of Monday's 7-6 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. At the time, the homer gave the Braves a 7-3 lead. They were fortunate that Murphy gave them that insurance since the Cards roared back in the ninth. Murphy finished the day 1-for-4 with the key homer, continuing his all-or-nothing trend (five homers, three singles). After coming off the IL hot, the 30-year-old was slumping coming into this one, going 1-for-13 with seven strikeouts over his last four. Murphy tends to run hot and cold, and his fantasy managers should be aware of this and not overreact to a cold stretch.